We’ll Need Additional Funding To Be Able To Complete The Amphitheatres – Mark Okraku Mantey
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts And Culture (MoTAC) Mark Okraku-Mantey, has attributed the inability of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to complete the construction of the five amphitheatres promised to a lack of funds.
The Minister made this known during Joy FM’s Manifesto Debate on Creative Arts.
According to him, the construction of the amphitheatres was predominantly funded by the World Bank. However, the initial budget of $500,000 per facility has been depleted and would require more funds to complete the projects.
“Predominantly, it has a lot to do with budget…The budget increased because of market prices hence affecting the plan we had to finish the amphitheatres. That is why it is going to take us some time to finish. ” he said.
The Amphitheaters Will Be Completed By December – Tourism Minister-Designate Egyapa Mercer
The Deputy Minister further elaborated that the government had sought additional funding from Parliament to ensure the timely completion of the amphitheatres.
According to him, an initial $500,000 per facility which was secured for the project did not suffice due to market factors.
We’ve made a request for additional funding, it’s in the process, the moment we get it, in the next two weeks I am sure some money should come in, we will go back to site.”
He also mentioned that the Minister of Tourism and Culture had gone to Parliament to defend the request for more funds, stating that the project should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
A Timeline Of Failed Promises On The Construction Of Amphitheatres By The NPP Government
The new development comes after the Minister for Tourism, Arts And Culture, Andrew Egyapa Mercer reiterated the NPP government’s commitment to completing the amphitheaters under construction by December 2024.
Speaking to a section of creative arts practitioners in Kumasi on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Quarshie Idun Hall at Kumasi Cultural Center, the Minister touched on the subject promising to see to the completion of the amphitheatres by the end of December 2024.
“I won’t make any promises but I know the things we have already started initiating and working on in the Ministry that will ensure that by December, the amphitheatres under construction will be completed. I know the processes that we have already started to get the Ministry of Finance to support us to complete the Center for National Culture,” he said.
